Answer Me (from The Band's Visit) (arr. Mark Brymer): Choral Instrumental Pak
Arranged by Mark Brymer
Item: 35-PK00439045
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Description
Musician, lyricist and genre-defying composer David Yazbek finally won a long-overdue Tony for his work in "The Band's Visit" on Broadway. Containing his trademark chord changes that surprise and delight with each listen, this arrangement captures the gradual 6/8 build in a lush and faithful representation of the show's climax in which the entire cast sings together for the first time, celebrating their newfound connections.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00439045
More about this title
About the Arranger: Mark Brymer
Mark Brymer is a prolific arranger whose work appears in thousands of choral publications across school, community, and professional settings. His arrangements are known for maintaining the integrity of original compositions while opening them to ensembles of varying sizes and abilities, making contemporary and classical works accessible without sacrificing their musical sophistication.
Why we love this
Brymer's instinct here is to honor Yazbek's harmonic language while building the emotional arc that makes the moment work on stage. The gradual intensification in 6/8 gives singers something to lean into, and the lush orchestration never overwhelms the voices. It's a contemporary theater piece that feels genuinely singable for concert choirs.
What to expect
A moment of connection and discovery unfolding gradually, full of warmth and unexpected harmonic turns that keep listeners engaged. The 6/8 lilt carries an almost Mediterranean ease, while the layered voices build into something communal and celebratory.
Who it's for
Choirs looking to program contemporary Broadway alongside more traditional concert repertoire. This works equally well for advanced high school groups, college choirs, and community ensembles with solid musicianship and comfort with modern harmonic language.
How to get the most out of it
- Treat the 6/8 meter as a consistent pulse rather than counting in sixes; this keeps the gradual build from feeling fragmented and maintains the lilting quality that makes the song breathe.
- Layer the dynamics carefully during the accumulation sections. Each entrance should feel like a new voice joining a conversation, not a sudden volume increase.
- Balance the harmony against the melody; Yazbek's chord changes deserve clarity, but they should never overshadow what the sopranos are singing.
- Let the instrumental accompaniment sit slightly back in the mix during exposed vocal passages, especially early in the arrangement where vulnerability matters.
How to use it
Pair this with other contemporary musical theater selections to showcase how composers like Yazbek bring fresh harmonic thinking to the genre. It also works beautifully as a finale piece or as a concert closer when you want to leave audiences with something accessible yet sophisticated.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and performing in 6/8 meter with clarity and consistent pulse
- Balancing independent melodic lines within complex harmonic textures
- Executing dynamic shadings that support architectural growth across longer phrases
- Interpreting contemporary harmonic language and chord progressions
- Blending with instrumental accompaniment while maintaining vocal independence